Dead Sushi is a 2012 Japanese splatter horror comedy film, written and directed by Noboru Iguchi, with additional writing from Makiko Iguchi and Jun Tsugita. Known for his over-the-top implementation of gore, comedy, and all-round silliness, Iguchi is known as the director behind such classics as The Machine Girl (2008), Robo-Geisha (2009), and Hentai Samurai (2015).
Keiko is a young woman trained in the art of sushi making but faces constant belittlement from her father, a renowned sushi chef. Seeking independence and recognition, Keiko leaves her home to work at a remote inn that caters to eccentric guests. Unbeknownst to her, the inn harbors a dark secret involving a disgraced scientist’s experiment gone awry: reanimated, flesh-eating sushi. Chaos ensues as the sushi, infused with a serum that grants them a voracious appetite for human flesh, terrorizes the inn’s staff and guests.
From the outset, Dead Sushi embraces its absurdity with gleeful abandon. The concept of killer sushi may sound ludicrous, but Iguchi executes it with such fervor and creativity that it becomes oddly charming. The film revels in its campiness, delivering a barrage of outlandish scenarios and over-the-top gore that will elicit both laughs and gasps from audiences.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its impressive practical effects and inventive kill scenes. From sushi rolls sprouting razor-sharp teeth to flying nigiri attacking their victims, the creativity on display is commendable. Iguchi’s background in special effects shines through, as each death is meticulously crafted for maximum impact. While the gore may be excessive for some viewers, fans of the splatter genre will find plenty to appreciate in the film’s inventive carnage.
In addition to its visual spectacle, Dead Sushi also excels in its comedic elements. The absurdity of the premise is matched by the film’s humor, which ranges from slapstick to darkly comedic. Scenes such as a martial arts showdown between Keiko and a horde of killer sushi or a sushi-inspired seduction sequence are both ludicrous and oddly entertaining. The performances, while intentionally exaggerated, add to the film’s comedic charm, with Rina Takeda’s portrayal of Keiko anchoring the absurdity with genuine likability.
However, Dead Sushi is not without its flaws. The pacing occasionally falters, with certain scenes dragging on longer than necessary, and the plot can feel thin at times, serving primarily as a framework for the film’s outrageous set pieces. Additionally, some viewers may find the film’s humor and gore to be too excessive, limiting its appeal to a niche audience.
A delightfully intrepid horror comedy, Dead Sushi is a captivating slice of Japanese splatter cinema that delivers on its promise of absurdity and gore. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, fans of cult horror and those with a taste for the bizarre will find plenty to enjoy in this culinary nightmare. With its inventive premise, impressive practical effects, and tongue-in-cheek humor, Dead Sushi stands as a testament to the limitless creativity of the splatter genre.
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Hey there, I’m Jim and I’m located in London, UK. I am a Writer and Managing Director here at Grimoire of Horror. A lifelong love of horror and writing has led me down this rabbit hole, allowing me to meet many amazing people and experience some truly original artwork. I specialise in world cinema, manga/graphic novels, and video games but will sometime traverse into the unknown in search of adventure.